In vitro study of the pulp chamber temperature rise during light-activated bleaching

This study evaluated in vitro the pulp chamber temperature rise induced by the light-activated dental bleaching technique using different light sources. The root portions of 78 extracted sound human mandibular incisors were sectioned approximately 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction. The root cavities of the crowns were enlarged to facilitate the correct placing of the sensor into the pulp chamber. Half of specimens (n=39) was assigned to receive a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel on the buccal surface and the other halt (n=39) not to receive the bleaching agent. Three groups (n=13) were formed for each condition (bleach or no bleach) according to the use of 3 light sources recommended for dental bleaching: a light-emitting diode (LED)laser system, a LED unit and a conventional halogen light. The light sources were positioned perpendicular to the buccal surface at a distance of 5 mm and activated during 30 s. The differences between the initial and the highest temperature readings for each specimen were obtained, and, from the temperature changes, the means for each specimen and each group were calculated. The values of temperature rise were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test at 1% significance level. Temperature rise varied significantly depending on the light-curing unit, with statistically significant differences (p<0.01) among the groups. When the bleaching agent was not applied, the halogen light induced the highest temperature rise (2.38±0.66ºC). The LED unit produced the lowest temperature increase (0.29±0.13ºC); but there was no significant difference between LED unit and LED-laser system (0.35±0.15ºC) (p>0.01). When the bleaching agent was applied, there were significant differences among groups (p<0.01): halogen light induced the highest temperature rise (1.41±0.64ºC), and LED-laser system the lowest (0.33±0.12ºC); however, there was no difference between LED-laser system and LED unit (0.44±0.11ºC). LED and LED-laser system did not differ significantly from each other regardless the temperature rise occurred with or without bleaching agent application. It may be concluded that during light-activated tooth bleaching, with or without the bleaching agent, halogen light promoted higher pulp chamber temperature rise than LED unit and LED-laser system. The tested light-curing units provided increases in the pulp chamber temperature that were compatible with pulpal health

Avaliação da microinfiltração apical em dentes obturados com quatro diferentes cimentos endodônticos

OBJETIVOS: comparar a capacidade de selamento apical de quatro cimentos endodônticos. MÉTODOS: quarenta caninos superiores humanos extraídos foram instrumentados 1 mm aquém do ápice anatômico e distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=10), de acordo com o cimento endodôntico utilizado para a obturação: Endofill, AH Plus, EndoREZ e Epiphany. Os canais radiculares foram obturados pela técnica da condensação lateral com os cimentos e com cones de guta-percha, exceto o grupo do Epiphany, no qual os cones de resina (Resilon) foram utilizados. Os dentes foram imersos em nanquim por sete dias e submetidos ao processo de diafanização e, então, clarificados empregando-se o salicilato de metila. A extensão de penetração via apical do corante foi medida por meio de um microscópio de mensuração em todas as faces do terço apical. RESULTADOS: AH Plus (0,02 mm &plusmn; 0,07), Epiphany (0,00 mm &plusmn; 0,00) e EndoREZ (0,32 mm &plusmn; 0,62) não diferiram estatisticamente entre si (p>;0,01). EndoFill apresentou a maior média de penetração do corante (0,83 mm &plusmn; 0,73) e diferiu estatisticamente dos demais (pOBJECTIVES: to compare the apical sealing ability of four root canal sealers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: forty extracted human maxillary canines were instrumented 1 mm short of the anatomical apex and randomly assigned to four groups (n=10), according to the root canal sealer used for obturation: Endofill, AH Plus, EndoREZ and Epiphany. Root canals were obturated with gutta-percha points, except for the Epiphany group, in which resin points (Resilon) were used. The teeth were immersed in India ink for seven days and clarified using methyl salicylate. The extent of apical dye penetration was measured with a measuroscope in all aspects of the canal. RESULTS: AH Plus (0.02 mm &plusmn; 0.07), Epiphany (0.00 mm &plusmn; 0.00) and EndoREZ (0.32 mm &plusmn; 0.62) did not differ statistically to each other (p>;0.01). EndoFill presented the highest dye penetration mean (0.83 mm &plusmn; 0.73) and was statistically different from the other sealers (

Influência dos cones de guta-percha na obturação de canais laterais artificiais

The aim of this study was to investigate, in vitro, the percentage of filling of simulated lateral canals in teeth obturated with TP medium and standardized gutta-percha points. Twenty human mandibular canines were prepared with LA Axxess (SybronEndo) and K³ Endo rotary system (SybronEndo) up to a #50 file, according to the Free Tip Preparation Technique. During instrumentation, the root canals were alternately irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. Six artificial lateral canals were prepared at the apical third of each tooth. Then, the teeth were assigned to two groups (n=10): Group 1 - filled with TP medium master gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer); Group 2 - filled with standardized master gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer). Root canal filling was complemented with AH Plus sealer (Dentsply, Mailleffer) and accessory gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer), according to the classic technique. The teeth were radiographed and the images obtained were digitized. Linear measurements of the percentage of filling of the artificial lateral canals in each group were accomplished on the Image Tool 2.02 software. Statistical analysis of the data using Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test evidenced significant difference (pO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in vitro o percentual de preenchimento de canais laterais artificiais em dentes obturados com cones de guta-percha TP medium e estandardizados. Vinte caninos inferiores humanos foram preparados com os instrumentos LA Axxess (SybronEndo) e o sistema rotatório K³ Endo (SybronEndo) até a lima #50, de acordo com a técnica Free Tip Preparation. Durante a instrumentação, os canais radiculares foram alternadamente irrigados com solução de hipoclorito de sódio a 1% e EDTA a 17%. Seis canais laterais artificiais foram confeccionados no terço apical de cada dente. Os dentes foram então divididos em dois grupos (n=10): Grupo 1 - obturados com cones de guta-percha principais TP médium (Dentsply, Mailleffer), Grupo 2 - obturados com cones de guta-percha principais estandardizados (Dentsply, Mailleffer). A obturação do canal radicular foi complementada com o cimento obturador AH Plus (Dentsply, Mailleffer) e cones de guta-percha acessórios (Dentsply, Mailleffer), de acordo com a técnica clássica. Os dentes foram radiografados e as imagens digitalizadas. Realizou-se a mensuração do percentual de obturação dos canais laterais em cada grupo por meio do software Image Tool 2.02. A análise estatística dos dados por meio do teste não paramétrico Mann-Whitney U evidenciou diferença significante (

Effect of different bleaching systems on the microhardness and ultrastructure of bovine dentin

Este estudo teve como objetivos: 01.Avaliar ex vivo o efeito de diferentes sistemas clareadores na microdureza dentinária em dentes bovinos submetidos ao clareamento dental interno. 02.Avaliar ex vivo o efeito de diferentes sistemas clareadores na morfologia superficial da dentina bovina. Fragmentos de 4 x 4mm, contendo esmalte e dentina, foram obtidos de coroas de incisivos bovinos extraídos. Os espécimes foram submetidos ao clareamento dental interno com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% e peróxido de carbamida a 37% utilizando sistemas convencionais (Opalescence Endo® and Whiteness Super Endo®) e fotoativados (Opalescence Xtra® and Whiteness HP Maxx®). Os controles foram tratados com perborato de sódio misturado com peróxido de hidrogênio a 10% ou nenhum tratamento foi realizado. A microdureza dentinária foi mensurada antes e após os tratamentos clareadores, e os valores de dureza Knoop (KHN) foram submetidos à análise estatística (two-way ANOVA, Tukey\'s port-test). Os espécimes foram observados e fotografados sob microscópio eletrônico de varredura e avaliados com relação às alterações morfológicas da superfície da dentina. Houve uma redução significante na microdureza dentinária para todos os grupos testados quando comparados aos grupos controles. Opalescence Xtra® (-11.36 ± 8.14 KHN), Opalescence Endo® (-13.71 ± 8.02 KHN), Whiteness HP Maxx® (-15.18 ± 9.58 KHN) e Whiteness Super Endo® (-16.97 ± 6.55 KHN) foram semelhantes estatisticamente. O grupo do perborato de sódio misturado com peróxido de hidrogênio 10% (2.10 ± 8.58 KHN) e o grupo sem tratamento clareador (-2.71 ± 2.40 KHN) também foram estatisticamente semelhantes entre si. Ocorreu uma grande variação no padrão de alterações da morfologia superficial da dentina com os sistemas clareadores utilizados. Todos os produtos testados apresentaram redução significativa da microdureza dentinária, exceto o grupo de perborato de sódio misturado com peróxido de hidrogênio a 10%. Ambos, pH e oxidação do peróxido de hidrogênio apresentam o papel de alterar a estrutura da dentina durante o clareamento interno. A utilização de produtos alcalinos com um tempo reduzido de aplicação (técnicas fotoativadas) pode diminuir as alterações morfológicas na dentina.The aim of this study was: 01. To evaluate in vitro the effect of different in-office bleaching systems on the surface morphology of bovine dentin. 02. To evaluate ex vivo the effect of different bleaching systems on the microhardness of bovine dentine. Tooth fragments measuring 4 x 4mm, containing enamel and dentin, were obtained from the crowns of extracted bovine incisors. Samples were submitted to simulated intracoronal bleaching techniques with 35% hydrogen peroxide and 37% carbamide peroxide using conventional (Opalescence Endo® and Whiteness Super Endo®) and light activated systems (Opalescence Xtra® and Whiteness HP Maxx®). Controls were treated either with sodium perborate mixed with 10% hydrogen peroxide or no bleaching agent. Dentine microhardness values were measured before and after bleaching procedures, recorded as KHN (Knoop Hardness Number), and the differences between them analyzed (two-way ANOVA, Tukey\'s port-test). The samples were observed under SEM and the recorded images were evaluated for topographic alterations. Significant reductions of dentine microhardness were observed for all treatments when compared to the control groups. Opalescence Xtra® (-11.36 ± 8.14 KHN), Opalescence Endo® (-13.71 ± 8.02 KHN), Whiteness HP Maxx® (-15.18 ± 9.58 KHN) and Whiteness Super Endo® (- 16.97 ± 6.55 KHN) presented similar differences. The walking bleach technique (2.10 ± 8.58 KHN) and the untreated groups (-2.71 ± 2.40 KHN) were statistically alike.The ultrastructural alterations of dentin observed in this study varied greatly between groups, according to the products used. Apparently, higher pH products associated to in-office techniques yielded to better maintenance of dentin ultrastructure. The in-office products tested in the present study caused a significant reduction in dentine microhardness. The walking bleach technique did not affect dentine microhardness. Both low pH and hydrogen peroxide oxidation play a role in altering the ultrastructure of dentin during internal dental bleaching. The use of alkaline products with reduced time of application (in-office techniques) may decrease such morphological alterations

Evaluation of Low Intensity Laser Therapy In Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Limited studies have demonstrated that low intensity laser therapy (LILT) may have a therapeutic effect on the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Sixty (60) patients with MPS and having one active trigger point in the anterior masseter and anterior temporal muscles were selected and assigned randomly to six groups (n=10): Groups I to III were treated with GaAIAS (780 nm) laser, applied in continuous mode and in a meticulous way, twice a week, for four weeks. Energy was set to 25 J/cm(2), 60 J/cm2 and 105 J/cm2, respectively. Groups IV to VI were treated with placebo applications, simulating the same parameters as the treated groups. Pain scores were assessed just before, then immediately after the fourth application, immediately after the eighth application, at 15 days and one month following treatment. A significant pain reduction was observed over time (p<0.001). The analgesic effect of the LILT was similar to the placebo groups. Using the parameters described in this experiment, LILT was effective in reducing pain experienced by patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Thus, it was not possible to establish a treatment protocol. Analyzing the analgesic effect of LILT suggests it as a possible treatment of MPS and may help to establish a clinical protocol for this therapeutic modality

Evaluation of apical microleakage of teeth sealed with four different root canal sealers

OBJECTIVES: to compare the apical sealing ability of four root canal sealers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: forty extracted human maxillary canines were instrumented 1 mm short of the anatomical apex and randomly assigned to four groups (n=10), according to the root canal sealer used for obturation: Endofill, AH Plus, EndoREZ and Epiphany. Root canals were obturated with gutta-percha points, except for the Epiphany group, in which resin points (Resilon) were used. The teeth were immersed in India ink for seven days and clarified using methyl salicylate. The extent of apical dye penetration was measured with a measuroscope in all aspects of the canal. RESULTS: AH Plus (0.02 mm &plusmn; 0.07), Epiphany (0.00 mm &plusmn; 0.00) and EndoREZ (0.32 mm &plusmn; 0.62) did not differ statistically to each other (p>0.01). EndoFill presented the highest dye penetration mean (0.83 mm &plusmn; 0.73) and was statistically different from the other sealers (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: the resin-based root canal sealers presented lesser apical microleakage than the zinc oxide and eugenol based sealer. No statistical differences were observed among resin based sealers

Influence of gutta-percha points on the filling of simulated lateral canals

The aim of this study was to investigate, in vitro, the percentage of filling of simulated lateral canals in teeth obturated with TP medium and standardized gutta-percha points. Twenty human mandibular canines were prepared with LA Axxess (SybronEndo) and K³ Endo rotary system (SybronEndo) up to a #50 file, according to the Free Tip Preparation Technique. During instrumentation, the root canals were alternately irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. Six artificial lateral canals were prepared at the apical third of each tooth. Then, the teeth were assigned to two groups (n=10): Group 1 - filled with TP medium master gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer); Group 2 - filled with standardized master gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer). Root canal filling was complemented with AH Plus sealer (Dentsply, Mailleffer) and accessory gutta-percha points (Dentsply, Mailleffer), according to the classic technique. The teeth were radiographed and the images obtained were digitized. Linear measurements of the percentage of filling of the artificial lateral canals in each group were accomplished on the Image Tool 2.02 software. Statistical analysis of the data using Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test evidenced significant difference (p<0.01) between the experimental groups. The group obturated with TP medium points yielded higher percentage of filling of the lateral canals. It may be concluded that the use of master gutta-percha points with larger taper resulted in better filling of the simulated lateral canals, as compared to the use of standardized master gutta-percha points

Effect of different bleaching systems on the ultrastructure of bovine dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of different in-office bleaching systems on the surface morphology of bovine dentin. Thirty tooth fragments measuring 4 x 4mm, containing enamel and dentin, were obtained from the crowns of extracted bovine incisors. Samples were subjected to simulated intracoronal bleaching techniques using conventional (Opalescence Endo (R) and Whiteness Super Endo (R)) and light-activated systems (Opalescence Xtra (R) and Whiteness HP Maxx (R)). Controls were treated with either sodium perborate mixed with 10% hydrogen peroxide or no bleaching agent. The samples were observed under SEM and the recorded images were evaluated for topographic alterations. The ultrastructural alterations of dentin observed in this study varied greatly between groups according to the products used. Higher pH products (Whiteness HP Maxx (R) and Opalescence Xtra (R)) associated with in-office techniques yielded better maintenance of dentin ultrastructure. Apparently, both low pH and hydrogen peroxide oxidation play a role in altering the ultrastructure of dentin during internal dental bleaching. The use of alkaline products with reduced time of application (in-office techniques) may decrease such morphological alterations